Minister
for Defence, Senator John Faulkner, today announced that the Royal Australian
Air Force has acquired Heron Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) in close
collaboration with Canadian Defence forces.

“This
high resolution intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance capability will
enhance the capability of Australian forces in Afghanistan,” Senator Faulkner
said.

The
Heron UAV is a one tonne aircraft capable of medium altitude, long endurance
flights. Under Project NANKEEN, the Defence Materiel Organisation has signed a
contract with Canadian company MacDonald, Dettwiler and Associates Ltd. (MDA)
to lease Heron UAV services which will provide high resolution intelligence,
surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) capability.

The
Australian Defence Force has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the
Canadian Forces which already operates Heron UAVs in Afghanistan.

In
July 2009 Royal Australian Air Force and Australian Army personnel undertook
Heron training in Canada. These personnel have now been absorbed within the
Canadian Heron UAV Detachment at Kandahar airfield conducting combat operations
in support of ISAF.

This
has meant the ADF has rapidly established its Heron capability by drawing on
the Canadians’ operational knowledge, experience and facilities.

“The
Australian Government greatly appreciates the assistance of the Canadian
Defence Force in this project,” Senator Faulkner said.

When
the systems acquired through the NANKEEN contract are delivered to Kandahar,
Australia will establish its full Heron detachment of Air Force and Army
personnel.

“Air
power of the future will involve a balance of manned and unmanned platforms. In
particular a long endurance UAV can enhance force protection by providing
ground commanders with real time intelligence,” Senator Faulkner said.

“The
experience that Air Force gains in operating long endurance UAVs in Afghanistan
will also help shape the development of unmanned Defence capabilities for
Australia through the next decade,” Senator Faulkner said.

Heron
can conduct operations in excess of 24 hours, with a maximum speed of more than
100 knots (180 km/h) and at altitudes of up to 10,000 metres.

This
leading edge technology is operationally proven and provides Australia with an
essential capability. It also allows Australian Defence Industry involvement,
with companies including Geospatial Intelligence, Carbine Security
Installations and Fujitsu Australia.